2015 Chateauneuf du Pape

75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre and 5% Cinsault. 80-year-old vines. Harvested by hand. 18- to 21-day fermentation followed by two months in cement tanks for malolactic fermentation. Bottled 18 months after harvest. Doesn’t look star bright. Mid crimson. Quite an array of aromas – spice, herbs, dried fruit. Again, obviously a dry year, but not too much alcohol. Correct for the AOC and smudgy subtlety. Drink with grouse? (JR)

I loved the 2015 Châteauneuf du Pape from Claire Michel and it’s a classic blend of 75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre and 5% Cinsault, mostly from rolled stone terroirs, that was partially destemmed and brought up all in foudre. It’s a downright sexy, voluptuous 2015 offering textbook notes of kirsch liqueur, ground pepper, herbes de Provence, and incense. It picks up more dark fruit with time in the glass, is full-bodied, has plenty of fat and glycerin, and ample tannin, although they’re so polished you have to hunt for them. This gorgeous example of traditionally made Châteauneuf du Pape that’s going to drink beautifully for 15+ years.

These days, Vieux Donjon is one of the few estates in the region making only a single cuvée (Close des Papes is another). The 2015 Chateauneuf du Pape is a floral, violet-scented wine that's supple and ripe. Only medium to full-bodied, it showcases complex garrigue and licorice notes rather than oodles of red fruit and comes to a long, silky finish.